Feed-water regulator.



nu. 660,294. Patented Dct. 23, |900.

-c. B. EnwAnns.

FEEDv WATER REGULATOR.

(Application led July 31, 1900.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

m'nesses: Inveno r.'

Patented Oct. 23, |900.

nn. 0J .Tm snw. DUI R63 AEN. WR@ .Dnnw LEM .Tn Am www CDM. EA E( F. A 9.2 6 nu 0. N

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

.End l l, r .mv l v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES B. EDVARDS, OFv WEYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS.

FEED-WATER REGULATOR.

SPEGIFCATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 660,294, dated October23, 1900.

Application led July 31, 1900. Serial No. 25,374. (No model.)

To tI/Z whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, CHARLES B. EDWARDS,

a citizen of the United States of America, and

An object of the present invention is to provide afeed-water apparatusof simplified, improved: and eiiicient construction and organizationadapted automatically for controlling the supply of fluid to areceptacle and in which is employed two cooperative.

whereby to effect an opening and closing movement of said Huid-actuatedvalve.

A further object of the invention is to provide in an apparatus of theclass specified improved float-actuated valve mechanism including twoconcentrically-disposed valves, one of which is normally retained in itsclosed position by an excess of iiuid pressure at one end and whichcontrols the induction of feed-Water to the boiler or receptacle and theother of which operates in one direction to relieve the pressure at oneend of said firstmentioned valve, whereby to permit the pressure at theopposite end of said valve to impart an opening movement thereto, andoperates in an opposite direction to reestablish this excess pressure toeffect a closing movement of said first-mentioned valve. With theseobjects in view the invention consists in certain details ofconstruction and in the combination and organization of the severalelements, substantially as hereinafter described, and more particularlypointed out in the claims.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification,Figure 1 is 'a side elevation, partly in section, of a portion `of oneform of feed-Water regulator or supply` apparatus embodying the presentinvention.

Fig. 2 is a central vertical sectionyon an enlarged scale, of a portionof the supply apparatus, showing a portion of a receiver and the valvemechanism in its normal closed position.' Fig. 3 is a side elevation ofthe main or puppet valve that controls the iuid-supply; and Fig. t is aside elevation of a portion of the iioat-actuated supplemental valve ortube-valvethat controls the movements of the main valve.

Similar characters refer to like parts inall the figures of thedrawings.

As a preamble to a detail description of the construction andorganization of the several elements comprised in the feed-waterregulator as a whole it is desired to state that the float-actuatedvalve mechanism which is shown constituting an element of the apparatusillustrated in Fig. l may be used, as hereinafter described, inconnection with a separate iioat-chamber or supplemental receiver- A orin direct connection with a main receiver Yor boiler to which itisdesired to supply fluid.

` ings the feed-water-regulatin g apparatus as a whole comprises a mainreceiver or boiler B; a supplemental receiver, float-chamber, or drum C,in communicating connection with said main receiver; a valve-body D,shown supported on the supplemental receiver C and having twopressure-fluid chambers 2 and'2 and an outlet-chamber 3; means (shown asa supply-pipe 4) for supplying fluid to the two. pressure-fluidchambers@ and'2 through the inlet-chamber 2, which is shown havingcommunication with the chamber 2 through a conduit; an induction or feedpipe 5, connecting the outlet chamber or opening 3 with the mainreceiver B; a duplex-valve device including a main valve E and asupplemental rooM valve F, disposed in relatively-concentric relationwithin the valve-body, and the main valve of which controls theadmission of iiuid from the inlet-opening to the outlet-opening and isnormally subjected to an excess fluidpressure at one end, which normallyretains the same seated, and the supplemental valve of which is adaptedfor relieving or nullifying this excess pressure on one movement thereofto effect an opening movement of said valve and for restablishing theexcess pressure on another movement thereof to eect a closing movementof the main valve, and a Valve-actuating ioat G, i-n adjustableconnection with the supplemental valve.

The supplemental receiver or oat-chamber C may be of any suitablegeneral construction, may be supported in any suitable manner, and willpreferably be connected to the boiler or main receiver B by pipes orconduits 6 and 6', which enter both receivers above and below the normalfluid-level thereof, so that a corresponding Huid-level will bemaintained in both receivers.

The valve-body D, shown in Fig. 1 as supported on the crown or top plateof the snpplemental. receiver, embodies in the preferred constructionthereof shown in Fig. 2 two pressure-fluid chambers 2 and 2', one ofwhich constitutes an inlet or valve chamber and the other of whichconstitutes a piston-chamber of larger diameter than and is disposed,preferably, in vertical alinement with the inletchamber; an intermediateoutlet or exhaust chamber 3, disposed in a plane substantially at rightangles to and intersecting the common axes ot' the two pressure-fluidchambers;

a valve-seat 7, having a valve-controlled open ing 7 and disposedbetween the inlet and outlet chambers, and a conduit or passage-way 8,extending around the outlet-chamber and establishing communicationbetween the two pressure-huid chambers. The cond uit or pas sage-way 8between the two chambers 2 and 2 has its inlet and outlet ends incommuni cation with said chambers above and below the upper and lowerfaces of the valve, respectively, irrespective of the position of saidvalve, so that pressure uid will be conducted from the inlet-chamber tothe piston-chamber to maintain a pressure at opposite ends of the valve,the effective pressure against the lower end of the valve being, whensaid valve is seated, considerably in excess of that against the upperend of the valve, whereby normally to retain the valve in its closedposition and until the pressure is reduced below that at the upper end,as hereinafter described, to effect a closing movement of said valve.

As a convenient means for regulating the eective area of the conduit 8,whereby to determine the pressure of the Huid against the lower end ofthe valve, I have provided in adjustable connection with the valve-bodyand conduit a regulating device, which is shown in the nature of aneedle-valve 9 in coperative relation with one arm of the conduit and`having a screw-threaded pin extending inward through a screw-threadedopening in the body and provided at the outer end thereof with ahand-wheel whereby the same may be turned in adjusting the valve.

The duplex-valve device consists in the preferred construction andorganization thereof shown in Fig. 2 of two relativelyconcentric valvesE and F, respectively, the former of which controls the feed-water supply and will for convenience be herein referred to as the main orfluid-actuated valve, and the latter of which controls the movements ofthe main valve and will for convenience be herein referred to as thesupplemental or iioat-actuated valve.

The main valve E, which is operated in its opening and closing movementsby fluid and which is in the nature of a puppet-valve, has itsvalve-face l0, of relatively small area, in cooperative relation withthe valve-seat 7 and has a diametrically-reduced tubularstem l2, withradial ports l2' preferably disposed to maintain constant communicationbetween the outlet-chamber 3 and the interior of said ,valve-stem, andwhich stem has at the` lower end thereof a piston 13, whose lower faceis of relatively large area as compared with the effective area of thevalve-face l0 and is disposed for reciprocatory movement in thepiston-chamber 2, said piston being preferably formed integral with thevalve-stem and having an axiaLopening registering with the axial openingof said stem. The Valve E will preferably have radiating guides l/latthe upper end cooperating with the inner face of the valve-seat fordirecting the movements of this end of the valve.

It is desired to state in the above connection that the invention is notlimited to the specific construction of main valve herein described, andillustrated in the drawings, as said valve is subject to variousmodifications within the purview of this invention.

The main valve E, which is operated in both directions by fluid, is solimited in its opening and closing movements with respect to thepressure-fluid chambers 2 and 2', as shown in Fig. 2, that the exit ofthe conduit will always be open to the piston-cham ber to admit pressurefluid to the chamber 2' from the chamber 2 and below the lower end ofthe -valvepiston whereby normally to retain the valve seated.

V The supplemental Valve F, which is in the nature of a tube-valve, hasthe upper end thereof extended through the piston into the stem of themain valve E, this end of the supplemental valve closely fitting thecentral opening in the main valve and having a central bore or recessl5, with one or more radial ports 16 at the lower or outer end thereofleading from the central bore to the outer face of the valve in positionto communicate with the piston-chamber 2' and also havingl at'the upperor inner end thereof ports 17,

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leading from the central 'opening 15 preferably to an annular recess 1Sin the periphery ofthe upper end of said valve and in position tocommunicate with the ports in the main- Valve stem during the descendingmovement of the supplemental valve to eect an opening movement of themain valve. words, the upper or inner end of the supplemental valve hasport passages or conduits adapted in one position of the supplementalvalve for conducting the pressure fluid from below the piston end of themain valve to the outlet-chamber 3, whereby to relieve the excesspressure at this end and cause the fluidpressure above the valve toforce said valve to an open position. It isdesired to state in thisconnection that the invention is not limited to the specificconstruction of supplemental valve illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, as the same is subject to some modification so long as itembodies means for conducting fluid from the piston-chamber to theoutlet-chamber of the valve-body, whereby to reduce the pressure at oneend of the main valve below that at the other end andl effect an openingmovement to said valve.

The supplemental valve F is shown having a stem 19, which extendsthrough and below l is provided at the lower end thereof with apacking-nut 19'. It will be obvious, 4however, that the means foreecting an adjustment of the fioat to determine the movements of thevalve E and the water-level may be variously modified without departurefrom this invention.

In the form shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings the valve-body is providedwith an externallyscrew-threaded plug 21 at the lower end thereof, whichhas at the upper end thereof an annular wall which constitutes a part ofthe piston-chamber 2 and the upper end of which forms a seat for thepiston and limits the opening movement of the main valve and which wallhas openings through which pressure uid from the conduit 8 enters belowsaid piston. This plug is shown screwed into a plate 23, riveted at 24and 24 to the upper recessed wall of the receiver, said plate having aboss extending into said recess.

The means shown for attaching the valvebody to the receiver may ofcourse be variously modilied.

To permit the escape of any fluid which may have accidentally enteredbetween the end of the supplemental valve and inner wall of the mainvalve a vent 25 may be provided, as shown in Fig. 2. In the.construction In othery thereof shown in Fig. 2 the lower ports 16 ofthe supplemental valve will be in constant communicationwith thepiston-chamber irrespective of the position of the supplemental valve.In the normal position of the parts,

.as illustratedy in Fig. 2 of the dr-awings, (the main valve being inits seated position and the supplemental valve being in its elevatedmain-valve-seating position,) the upper ports piston to flow through thecentral chamber of the supplemental valv'e into the outletchamber 3 ofthe valve-body, thus reducing the effective pressure below the pistonsnflil ciently to cause the then preponderant pressure above to impartan opening movement to the valve to supply fluid to the receiver. Whenthe water-level in the float-receiver rises sufficiently to impart avertical movement to theffloat,hthe tube or supplemental valve will beelevated and will cut off communicationbetween the ports thereof and theports in the main-valve stem, thus reestablishingan excess pressure in^the, piston-chamber and causing the fluid at this end to impart aclosing movement to the valve. From the foregoing it will be seen thatthe main valve is subjected normally, or when the valve is seated, todifferent fluid-pressures at opposite ends and that by the ascending anddescending movements of the supplemental valve an excess pressure willbe established first at one end and then at the other end of the valveto cause the fluid at these ends alternately to impart one an openingand the other a closing movement to the mainvalve. When the main valveis in its lowest or unseated position, it is practically balanced, aswill 'be readily understood, so that immediately upon the cutting off ofcommunicationbetween the piston-.chamber and outletchamber by theascending movement of the supplemental valve a sufiicient excess ofpressure will be established below the piston of the valve as comparedwith the pressure at the opposite end of said valve to effect aquick-closing movement thereof.

I claim- 1. A feed-water regulatorincludi'nga Iioatactuated valve havingthe opposite end faces thereof of different areas; `means supplying iuidto opposite ends of said valve whereby the valve will normally beretained in a closed position by the iiuid at thelarge end thereof;

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means including a float-actuated tube-valve in concentric relation withthe fluid-actuated valve for alternately nullifying and establishing theeffective pressure at the larger end of the valve whereby alternately toeect opening and closing movements to said valve.

2. The combination with a receiver, of a valve-body having an inlet andan outlet with an intermediate valve-seat; a puppet-valve in cooperativerelation with the valve-seat and having a tubular stem with portsleading therefrom to the outlet; means for supplying iuid to oppositeends of the valve whereby normally to retain the valve seated; and afloat-actuated valve extending into the stem of the puppet-valve andhaving ports disposed to relieve the pressure at one end of said valveon the descent of the ioat to effect an opening movement of thepuppet-valve.

3. A feed water regulator embodying a fluid-actuated valve having apiston of different effective surface area in fixed connectiontherewith; means for admitting iiuid above the valve and below thepiston; a concentrically-dispos'ed tube-valve having ports disposed toconduct fluid from below the piston to a point above said piston; andfloatactuated means for operating the last-mentioned valve. i

4. A feed-water regulator embodying a valve-body having an inlet and anoutlet chamber disposed with their axes in intersecting planes andhaving a piston-chamber of greater diameter than,and in substantialalinement with, the inlet-chamber; means for supplying liuid to theinlet and piston chambers; a puppet-valve for establishing communicationbetween the inlet and outlet chambers and having a tubular stem withports opening from the interior thereof to the outletchamber; apiston onthe valve-stem working in the piston-chamber; a tube-valve extendinginto the puppet-valve and having exhaustports adapted, on one movementthereof, for establishing communication between the piston-chamber andoutlet through the ports in the valve-stem whereby to reduce thepressure of the piston end of the valve to effect an opening movementthereof; and float-actuated means in connection with the tubevalve.

5. In an apparatus of the class specified a valve-body having aninlet-chamber and a piston-chamber of 'dierent diameters in substantialaxial alinement and also having an `through the piston and into thevalve-stem and having ports fon admitting duid from the piston-chamberto the outlet-chamber; and a valve-actuating ioat in connection with thetube-valve whereby on the gravitation of the float the tube-valve willbe moved to reduce the excess pressure at one end and effect an openingmovement of the main valve.

6. In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with afeed-conduit of automatically-operative valve mechanism including a mainand a supplemental valve disposed in concentric relation, the former ofwhich is fluid-operated in its movements and is normally subjected tofluid-pressure at both ends, and the latter of which is in the nature ofa tube-valve and extends into and controls the movement of, the former;and a lioat in adjustable connection with the supplemental valve.

7. A feed-water regulator including a valvebody having two alinedpressure-fluid chambers of different diameters, an intermediateexhaust-chamber, and a conduit leading from one pressure-fluid chamberaround the intermediate chamber to the other pressure-[luid chamber; amain valve disposed between the two pressure-fluid chambers andcontrolling the admission of iuid from one pressure-fluid chamber to theintermediate chamber; a supplemental tube-valve disposed,concentrically, Within the main valve and effective on' one operationthereof for admitting uidfrom the other pressure-fluid chamber oflargest diameter to the intermediate chamber whereby to relieve thepressure atone end of the valve and cause the fluid in the chamber ofsmallest diameter to effect an opening movement thereof; supply means inconnection with one pressure-duid chamber; and automatically-operativemeans including a loat in adjustable connection with the supplementalvalve.

8. In a feed-water-supply apparatus, a valve-body having an inlet andoutlet opening; a valve-seat between said openings; a piston-chamber` inalinement with the inletopening; a fluid-actuated main valve coperativewith the valve-seat and having a tubular stem provided with a pistonlocated in the piston-chamber and also having ports disposed between thepiston and valve and leading from the interior of the stem to theoutlet-opening; a concentrically-disposed floatactuated valve extendinginto the stem of the main valve and having ports for establishingcommunication between the piston-chamber and outlet-opening of thevalve-body through the ports in the main valve.

9. In an apparatus of the class speciiied, the combination of a boileror main receiver; a supplemental receiver or float-chamber having acommunicating connection with said main receiver; afloat disposed insaid supplemental receiver; a valve body or casing disposed outside ofsaid supplemental receiver and having inlet and outlet openingsseparated by a valve-seat; a pipe leading to the IOO IIO

. and an intermediate outlet-chamber; a con-4 d uit extending around theintermediate chamber and maintaining constant comm unication vbetweenthe two pressure-fluid chambers;

supply means in connection with the lowpressure-fluid chamber; apuppet-valve nor-l 1n ally cutting off communication between thelow-pressure-fluid'chamber and the outletchamber; a tube-valve extendinginto the puppet-valve and normally cutting o communication between thehigh-pressure-luid chamber and the outlet-chamber; ports in saidtube-valve disposed to establish communication between thehigh-pressure-fluid chamber and outlet-chamber on the descendingmovementof said tube-valve whereby to permit the pressure in thelow-pressure-iuid chamber to effect an opening movement of thepuppet-valve; and means for actuating the tube-valve.

1l. The combination with thev valve-body having an inlet Land an outletopeningv separated by a valve-seat, and having a pistonchamberinalinement with the inlet-opening, of two relatively-concentric valvessupported in said body and one of which is controlled below said valve.l. 4 l 12. The combination with the valvebody in its movements by theother; a valve-actu ating'float in adjustable connection with one valve;and a conduit leading from the inlet'-l opening at a point above onevalve around the outlet to the piston-chamber at apoint having an inletand an outlet-opening separated by a valve-seat, and having a piston'-chamber in Valinement with the inlet-opening,

.of two relatively-concentric valves supported'y in said body and one ofwhich iscon'trolled in its movements bythe other a valve-*actuatingfloat in' adjustable connection with one valve a conduit leading fromthe inlet-opening at a point above` one valve around the outlet to thepiston-chamber at ay point below said valve; and adjustable meansxfor lvarying the effective area of the conduit.l

13. An apparatus of the class specified coniii prising two communicatingreceivers; a float disposed in one lof said' receivers; feed-Water-lsupply ineans in connection with one of'said ,A

receivers and including a valve-body, and two concentrically-disposedvalves, 011e` of which is subjected to fluid-pressure atv both` ends andthe other valve of which has ports for controlling the effectivepressure of the fluid at opposite ends of the first valve to ef? fect anopening and closing movement'of said

